Marlene Dukes Kenner

Funeral Services for Mrs. Marlene Dukes Kenner will be held 1:00 pm Friday, September 23, 2022 at the United Church Of God (77 Edisto Street, Johnston, SC 29832) with the Elder George Gore, Pastor. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery (488 Archie Ware Road, Trenton, SC 29847.)

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there will be no more death.

Rev. 21:4

Marlene Dukes Kenner was called from her labor into her reward on Thursday morning, September 15th, 2022 in Anderson, SC surrounded by family. She was born in Edgefield County on June 15th, 1959 as a twin of the late Marvin Dukes (Brother) to her proud parents, the late James Dukes, Jr. and Rosa Mae Dukes. 

Marlene received her education from Edgefield County Public Schools. She began babysitting directly after high school. At the age of 29 she was united into holy matrimony to the late Allen Kenner on July 5th 1988. They were married for 33 years until his passing on September 29, 2021.

She began her membership with The United Church of God, where she was baptized and later filled with the Holy Ghost. She served on the kitchen committee for 19 years where she had a love for cooking .Her specialty was dressing and peach cobbler.

She was employed at Sandra’s Daycare in Aiken, SC for several years. In her spare time she loved decorating for events and doing crafts. 

She was a great wife, mother, and friend. Her love for people and laughter made everyone want to be around her. She made friends with everyone she came into contact with.  Her love for dresses, hats, dresses and perfume (Red Door) was undeniable. 

Marlene leaves to cherish her memory her daughters: Kimberly Cheatham (Lamont Cheatham) of Anderson, SC and Shera Kenner (Willie Hopkins, Jr.) of Johnston, SC; grandchildren Makayla Cheatham, McKenzie Cheatham, James Cheatham of Anderson, SC; Brothers: Tony Jackson (Wanda Jackson) and Toriona (Leandra) Payne, North Augusta, SC; sisters: Brenda Oakman (Otis Oakman) of Ridge Spring, SC, Janie Mae Dukes of Johnston, SC, Ann Milligan of Johnston, SC, a God-child, Sueann Campbell of Ridge Spring, SC; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles. cousins and friends. 

Willie Edwards

Willie Edwards was born June 8, 1942, in Edgefield County, South Carolina. He was the son of the late Frank Edwards and Elizabeth Marshall Edwards. His usual occupation was a farmer for many years.

Willie was a hard worker. He loved his family and he was good to his family and to his friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, George Edwards, Johnny Edwards, Bessie Mae Edwards, and Helen Edwards, children, Sarah Marshall, Fitzgerald Morton, and a granddaughter, Shemeka Morton.

He leaves to love and cherish his memories, his wife, Elizabeth Edwards of the home, sons, Lawrence Edwards (Rosa Mae Watkins), Batesburg, SC, Leroy Edwards, (Zarie Brooks), Aiken, SC, Calvin James (Debra Allen), Aiken, SC, Teresa Wise, Aiken, SC, William Edwards (Teresa Nicholas, Aiken, SC, Josephine Byrd, Aiken, SC, Cheryl Edwards Wise (Bernard, Aiken, SC, Willie Deloris Marshall, Ward, SC, Johnnie Marshall, Batesburg, SC, James Leon Marshall, North Augusta, SC, Mary Morton, Trenton, SC, Henry Marshall, (Brenda Gilliam), Saluda, SC, Lou Ann Jones, (Joe James), Ridge Spring, SC, Robert Edwards, (Teresa Kirk), Monetta, SC, 40 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral Services were held Friday, July 1, 2022 : 2:00 pm at the Chinquapin Baptist Church, Batesburg, SC with the Overseer Apostle RC Ratliff, Pastor/ Officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Thelma Butler Key

Mrs. Thelma Butler Key, daughter of the late Grant and Carrie Williams Butler, was born on February 29, 1944, in Edgefield County, South Carolina. Sadly, on June 6, 2022, she was called home to rest in peace after a brief illness.

At an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and became a member of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. Later in life, she moved her membership to Bethlehem Baptist Church.  She was an active member and she served on the Senior Choir.

She received her education at the Butler School System of Edgefield County. She graduated from W.E. Parker High School in 1963. She was a Homemaker.

She leaves to cherished her memory to her husband of 58 years, Mr. Otis Key, Sr., two daughters, Annette Key, Aiken, SC, (        ),   Katherine Key,  four sons, Otis (Sandra) Key, Johnston, SC, Alvin (Tara) Key, Aiken, SC, Johnny (Falisha) Key, Johnston, SC, Marvin (Tanika) Key, Aiken, SC, one brother-in-law, Sam (Janie) Key, Edgefield, SC,  four sisters-in-law, Ethel Butler, and Lillie Mae Jones, both of Trenton, SC, Katherine Butler, Edgefield, SC, and sixteen grandchildren.

Final services will be held on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 11:00 am at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Edgefield, SC. Interment will be in Keys Memorial Gardens.

Brent Lashae Johnson

Brent Lashae Johnson was born June 11, 1977. She was the daughter of Carrie B. Gray Johnson and the late Sylvester Johnson. She was the youngest of four children.

As a young  child she was baptized a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.

 Brent was a native of Edgefield County where she attended Edgefield County Schools. She was very active in school, playing the trumpet in band and many other activities in school. She was a 1994 graduate of Strom Thurmond. Following graduation, she attended Barder College.

Brent  worked for many years at Michelin Tire Company and Amick Farms. 

She was a loving and caring woman, she loved her children. They kept her going. She loved vacationing and traveling. To sum up her life , BRENT loved Life!!!  There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her family and those she loved. Her memory will forever be in our hearts.

Preceding her in death is her father, Sylvester Johnson.

She leaves to love honor and cherish her beautiful memories: two children, Octavia Ethridge, California, and Jayden Curtis, Johnston, SC; her mother, Carrie Johnson, Johnston, SC;  three siblings, Angie (Harold) Nash, Greenville, SC, Tenneyson Gray(Burnell), New York and Chandlor Martin (Bernard), Aiken, SC and a host of nieces , nephews,  other relatives and friends. 

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2022 at 11:00 am at Sunset Memorial Garden in Johnston, SC.

Janie Abney Dunbar

Mrs Janie Abney Dunbar

Janie Abney Holland Thurmond Dunbar, affectionately known as “Nannie,” was born August 15, 1922 to Millie Abney in Saluda, South Carolina. Her siblings were the late Clara Doby, Whelen Jr. and Thomas (Duck) Abney. She departed this life on March 17, 2022.

Janie spent her early childhood years in Johnston, South Carolina. During her early teens, she began her new journey as a surrogate mother to the Halford Family and later became their housekeeper. Mrs. Annie Halford and Janie had a close loving relationship. So close that they adopted the name Halford as well.

Janie had two children, one of whom preceded her in death, Patricia Dandy, affectionately known as “Tricia.“

Janie was preceded in death by her three husbands, Albert Holland, Sr.,  Archie Thurmond, and John Henry Dunbar, Sr.

Janie accepted Christ as her savior at a young age and joined Pine Hill Baptist Church. She served on various committees and was an active member of the Sunday School, but her most prestigious role was being the oldest member of the church.

Janie was very famous for her cooking. She enjoyed cooking for her family, church, and the community. She was most famous for her pound cakes and Cha Cha.

Janie answered God’s calling on Friday, March 18, 2022, at her residence in Johnston, South Carolina.

Janie leaves to mourn her memories to her devoted son also known as her twin, Albert Holland, her special daughter-in-law, Geraldine Holland of Hempstead, New York, stepson, John Henry (Therma) Dunbar, Jr., Buffalo, New York, step-daughters, Mary Helen Howard, Betty Dunbar, and Martha Dunbar, New York, New York, her grandchildren, Felix Andrews, Johnston, South Carolina, Sandra (Anthony) Dandy, Springfield, Virginia, Wallace Dandy, Jr., Columbia, South Carolina, Sharon Parlor, Johnston, South Carolina, Nancy L. Holland, Jamaica, New York, and Richard (Gwendolyn) Holland, Sr., Rockville Centre, New York; great-grandchildren, Kenji Dandy (Tracee Ashton), Justin Cartledge, Tyler Cartledge, Jama Dandy, Teri Cartledge, Richard Holland, Jr., and Blake Holland, great-great-grandchildren, Kross Dandy and Ayanna Dandy-Williams, Janie had also developed a close loving special relationship with the Dunbar grandchildren. She also had a special relationship with Rev. Bernard (Daisy) Abney and she shared a close bond with Maude Grey and the Florida Family. Lastly, she leaves a host of sorrowful cousins and friends.

Services held on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 12:00 Noon, at the Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Post Office Box 517, Johnston, SC 29832, with Rev. Casey Duncan, Pastor officiating, and Rev. Jerome Coleman as Eulogist.

Betty Jean Felder

Graveside services for Mrs. Betty Jean Dobbs Felder, daughter of the late Ben Dobbs and the late Edith Cherry Dobbs was held Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Rosa Spring Baptist Church where the Rev. Winston Oliphant is the Pastor. Rev. Lonnie Jones , officiated. The Eulogist was Minister Cynthia Howard.

Betty Jean Felder, also Known as “Ruthell” entered into eternal rest at her residence on February 28, 2022 following a brief illness. She was educated in the schools of Edgefield County. She was baptized at the Lotts Grove Baptist Church at an early age. She was a housekeeper for most of her life with her last years as a homemaker providing for her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband (James Felder, Jr.), her parents; two daughters, Macy Howard, Betty Ann Tompkins, two sons, Nathaniel Howard, Jr. and Anthony Felder; a granddaughter, Belanda Tompkins, two great-grandsons, Ty’Reius Wakefield and Edward McKenzie, Jr. Four brothers, James Walter, Willie and Bennie Joe Dobbs; and three sisters, Nancy Dobbs Oliphant, Edith Dobbs, and Tawanda Axen.

Those left to love honor and cherish her memory; four daughters, Sally Ann “Brenda” Howard, Lisa Howard both of Johnston, SC; Shirley Felder McKnight, Winter Haven FL, and Christine Felder, Ft. Peirce, FL; four sons, Jimmy Felder, Ft. Peirce, FL, Freddie Lee Howard, Johnston, SC, Donald (Lois Marshall) Howard, Ward, SC, and Robert Howard, Anderson, SC; two sisters, Susie Dobbs (Johnny) Herrin, Aiken, SC and Grace Dobbs Nicholson, Trenton, SC; four sisters-in-law, Bessie O. Dobbs, Johnston, SC, Annette Dobbs, Pelion, SC, Margaret Felder and Ruth Lee Felder both of Winter Haven , FL; two aunts, Nancy D. Miles, Johnston, SC and Ruth D Freeman, Virginia; a uncle, John Dobbs, Jr. Rockaway NY; forty-four grandchildren, Sixty-two great-grandchildren and a host of nieces , nephews, other relatives and friends.

Annette M. Bynem

Annette M. Bynem

Annette M Bynem, 81, daughter of the late Isiah and Thelma Myers, was born August 13, 1940, in South Carolina. On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, God reached out His loving hand and called her precious name to come home to be with Him.

She was proceeded in death by her son Charles Bynem, daughters Sheryl Ann Bynem, Deirdra Bynem, and brother Walter Myers.

Annette was educated in the public schools of Lexington County, South Carolina. She graduated from Twin City High School in 1959.  In her adult life, she worked as a machine operator at Owens Corning Fiberglass in Aiken, South Carolina for over thirty years until retirement.

She was a member of Saint Matthews CME Church where she served on the usher board for many years and taught Sunday school. She also attended Saint Mark Missionary regularly up until her health began to decline.

Those left to cherish her precious memories and celebrate her life include: her daughters: Latosha Mitchell (Kelvin) of Lexington, Deborah Smith of Batesburg, son, Leon (Linda) Bynem of North Carolina; grandsons: Stephen Bynem, Nickolas Foens, Aundreas Bynem-Scott, Daijohn Scott, Ahmaad Bynem-Scott, and Fayden Foens; granddaughters: Deanna Bynem, Sydnei Foens, and Zion Mitchell; a great-granddaughter, Aubree Scott; two sisters: Jeanette Hill and Janie Jennings; one sister-in-law, Mary E. Myers, all of Batesburg-Leesville; a close cousin, Shirley McRay of Maryland; a dear friend, Mary Gray of Newberry, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

Funeral services held on Monday, February 28th, 2022 at 1:00 pm, at St. Matthews CME Church, Leesville, SC, with Rev. Dr. Amos O. Harling, Jr. Officiating.

Betty Jean Oliphant

Betty Jean Oliphant

Betty Jean Oliphant was born May 7, 1948, She was the daughter of the late Joe Lanham and Tempiu Simpkins.

She departed this earthly life bound for her Heavenly Home on February 16, 2022 at Aiken Regional Hospital in Aiken, SC.

Betty Jean, as she was affectionately known, was educated in the schools of Edgefield County.

She was united in holy matrimony to William Gilliam.

She was a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Edgefield, South Carolina. She worked for many years as a cook at the Edgefield County Hospital.

Betty Jean loved her family and friends, and they will miss her dearly.

She leaves to love, honor and cherish her memory her children: Ricky Benjamin Miles of Edgefield, SC, Ernest Simpkins, Columbia, SC, Angie Regina Oliphant of North Augusta, SC, Robert Oliphant of Edgefield, SC, five grandchildren, Antjuan, Brianna, Biancia, and Antonio, great-grandchildren, Tyianna Miles, Jeremiah Forest, Mekhi Davis, Aubree Miles, and Antjuan Jr., a special friend, Curtis Hartley, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Services held on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 11:00 am at Amos & Sons Funeral Home of Johnston, SC.

Annie Ruth Small Bowers

Batesburg-Leesville

Mrs. Annie Ruth Small Bowers, born on March 29, 1942 to the late Lindy Small and Oscar Johnson, departed this earthly life on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at her home in Monetta, South Carolina.

Annie Ruth was affectionately known as “Big Ma” to many of her family and friends. She attended Aiken County public schools and worked at Amick Farms for several years until her health began to fail. She was a homemaker until her death.

She was a member of Monetta Baptist Church. Annie Ruth accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and loved to talk about the Lord. She also loved listening to her gospel music.

Annie Ruth leaves to cherish her precious memories: her loving children – Diane Fuller, Janis Small and Clarence Small all of Ridge Spring, South Carolina, William David Small of Gilbert, South Carolina, James Willie Bowers and Annette Bowers, both of Monetta, South Carolina; her loving sisters and brothers – Lula Mae (Ollice) Conner, Mary Jane Cyrus, Herbert Small, William Small, Patricia Small, Robert Small, Charles Small, Brenda Small and Calvin Small, all of Ridge Spring, South Carolina; ten grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren; two special caregivers who held a special place in her heart – Cryshenda “Pudding Pie” Caudle and Willie “Lee Lee” Burton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends who will miss her deeply.

Albert Smith Sr.

Batesburg-Leesville

Mr. Albert Smith, Sr., son of the late Henry Smith, Sr. and Lula Mae Padgett Smith, was born July 7, 1939 in Saluda County, South Carolina. He departed this earthly life on Friday, December 24, 2021 at Pruitt Health.

Albert attended Twin City High School, Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina.  He was employed by T.A. Fore Company. 

He was married to the late Leila Mae Rabb Smith.  To this union, five children were born.

 Albert was preceded in death by seven sisters, Carrie Lou Smith Wise, Henrietta Smith Buckett, Mary Lee Smith Kearse, Minnie Bell Smith Robinson, Ella Rae Smith Leaphart, Venrietta Smith Jackson and Patricia Smith McKnight; two brothers, James Smith and Henry Smith, Jr.; and one grandson, Rashad Rabb.

Those left to cherish his precious memories and celebrate his home-going are:  three sons – Reverend Robert (Gloria) Rabb of Lynchburg, South Carolina and Albert (Lora) Smith, Jr. of Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina and Robert (Edwina) Gantt; three daughters – Reverend Debbie Rabb and Lynette Smith, both of Lexington, South Carolina and Sharon Smith (Willie) Brunson of Gilbert, South Carolina; one brother-in-law – Edward McKnight; one sister-in-law – Martha Smith; a special cousin – Johnny Jackson; someone he loved like a daughter – Gail Keisler; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends.